BibA induces opsonizing antibodies conferring in vivo protection against group B Streptococcus

J Infect Dis. 2009 Aug 15;200(4):564-70. doi: 10.1086/603540.

Abstract

We recently characterized the function of BibA, an immunogenic surface-associated antigen expressed by group B Streptococcus (GBS) that is involved in virulence. In this study, we performed a bibA gene variability analysis on a panel of 72 clinical isolate strains. The bibA gene was present in all the strains analyzed, and 4 allelic variants, correlating with serotype, were identified. Moreover, although the BibA protein was expressed in all strains tested, only 54% of strains demonstrated surface exposure of the antigen in vitro. Importantly, expression of BibA on the bacterial surface was correlated with protection, because mice immunized with BibA were protected against challenge by a GBS strain with high levels of surface exposure of the antigen. In agreement with these findings, serum samples from mice immunized with recombinant BibA induced neutrophil-mediated in vitro opsonophagocytic killing of GBS. In conclusion, we propose BibA as a novel GBS vaccine candidate.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood*
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / immunology*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / physiology
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Maternally-Acquired
  • Mice
  • Streptococcal Infections / immunology
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology*
  • Streptococcus agalactiae / genetics
  • Streptococcus agalactiae / immunology
  • Streptococcus agalactiae / metabolism*
  • Virulence Factors

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Virulence Factors